In the 15th-century, Palos de la Frontera in southwestern Spain was a thriving port. New scholarship, and the discovery of pottery and a reef, have led experts to establish the site as the departure point for Christopher Columbus' 1492 voyage.

Llywelyn Fawr of Gwynedd, 13th century Welsh prince, built Llys Rhosyr as one of his royal courts. Now the site, long ago buried by sand dunes, and rediscovered in 1992, will live again as an exhibit in St Fagans National History Museum near Cardiff. (drawing)

9 September, 2013 marked the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden between the Scots and the British in the fields of Northumberland, England. In October 2014, excavations of the site will be terminated, ending several years of work. The latest dig will concentrate on the bridge at Ellemford, believed to be the muster site for the Scottish army.

Researchers working 30 kilometers west of Jerusalem were surprised to discover ancient cisterns which led them to a cave. Upon further exploration, they found a Byzantine-era compound where monks once lived and pressed grapes for wine and olives for oil.

A group of Polish engineers, tasked with finding and disposing of World War II artillary shells in the Forest District Wipsowo, have discovered the heads of three Teutonic battle axes, dating to the late Middle Ages. (photo)

In order to protect its precious frescoes, the Vatican has announced that it will restrict visitors to the Sistine Chapel to 6 million each year. Experts say that dust, sweat and carbon dioxide from up to 20,000 tourists a day pose a major threat to Michelangelo’s masterpiece. (photos)

Researchers from around the world may benefit from a study of the molars of 22 individuals unearthed during excavation of Periplatz cemetery in Berlin. The remains, dating from between 1200 to c.1600 CE, were analyzed using "3D printing technology to complement strontium isotope analysis in order to better understand the ancient residents of Berlin."

In 1960, a rare, 12th century Byzantine manuscript was stolen from the Dionysiou Monastery in Mount Athos. The Getty Museum in California purchased the codex in 1983 and will now restore it to its rightful place in Greece. (photo)

Museum conservationists never know what they might discovered under layers of paint and grime. What lies beneath the surface is the subject of a new display at London's National Portrait Gallery which reveals, for the first time, some of the conservationists' findings.

Retired Ayrshire businessman Derek McLennan has made good use of his metal detector. In 2013, he discovered Scotland's biggest haul of medieval silver coins. Now he has unearthed a new hoard of more than 100 items, including a 9th century Christian cross and possibly the largest silver Carolingian pot ever discovered. (photos and video)

The Museo Nacional de Antropologia in Mexico City is celebrating the return of the Codex Chimalpahin, a three-volume, hand-written, indigenous account vividly documenting the history of Aztec Mexico in Pre-Hispanic and 16th Century New Spain. Dan Colen of Art Daily has a feature story (photo)

In July, archaeologists working on excavations in St John's Street in Northampton, England discovered a 13th century malting oven, used to roast grain for brewing. Now a second, even larger, oven has been found at the same site. (photo)

Archaeologists and theologians are excited about the discovery of a 4th century engraved glass plate depicting an unbearded Jesus. The plate, discovered during an excavation near the southern Spanish city of Linares, is believed to be one of the earliest known images of Christ. (photos)

Marilyn Monroe, News Editor of the Southwest Daily News in Sulphur, Texas, is still having fun at the Texas Renaissance Festival years after her actor boyfriend dragged her there. She reports on the Ren Faire world in an article for the Leesville Daily Leader.

Master Caelin on Andrede reports that he has created an album of photos from the Barony of Elfsea's Library Demo which took place recently in the Kingdom of Ansteorra. The photos are available on Flickr.

Residents of the Compass Lake residential area in the Hills area in Jackson County, Florida hope that the SCA Medieval Faire event will help the local economy. Deborah Buckhalter of the Jackson County Floridian has the story. (photos)

In the 1570s, Queen Elizabeth I's favorite, Robert Dudley, built a tower dedicated to her personal use onto Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire. Now, for the first time, the tower rooms will be open to the public.